Worksop: Norbridge Academy wins top international award

John Smith

A Worksop primary school is celebrating after it was granted the highest level of the prestigious International Schools Award.

Norbridge Academy has received the Full International Schools Award from the British Council after its children were given a wide range of opportunities to experience other languages and cultures over the last year.

These activities include have included international Quadblogging, where classes share their work on blogs with three other schools from around the world, mystery Skype calls to international schools and class topics on countries or continents from around the world.

The children have also been learning French as part of the curriculum, held a French art week and the Year 6 children even ran their own French cafe for other pupils and members of the local community.

Key Stage 2 children from the school have also received the opportunity to take part in the school’s first ever international residential visit, where they spent a week in the Pas-de-Calais learning about the culture and history of France.

The international activities have not only been linked to French, with the school also inviting guests in to put on an African art week, African drumming workshops and sessions about religious festivals.

Head teacher George Huthart said: “I am delighted that we have been given the Full International Schools Award and it is testament to the hard work that both the staff and children have put in over the last year.”

“Since our classes started blogging a couple of years ago we have seen the children’s interest in learning grow, particularly their enthusiasm for writing.”

“This has opened up many opportunities for us to link with schools from around the world and to learn about other cultures.”

One of the initiatives the Norbirgde pupils have enjoyed most has been the mystery Skype calls, where teachers have arranged for their class to make video calls to schools from another country.

“The children have been so committed to these calls that they have even camped out overnight in the school, before making calls to schools in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and the USA,” continued Mr Huthart.

“These calls have been a great success and it is fantastic to see the children’s enthusiasm and interest for learning about other cultures.”

“They are always so excited to find out who they will be talking to and love the opportunity to learn about what schools are like in different parts of the world.”

“It is a chance to celebrate our culture and share our ideas with schools around the world and the other children have always enjoyed hearing that we have been camping out at school.”